Randy the raccoon was very young and wondered what lived outside of the forest where he was born. Randy's mother had left him when he was young along with the rest of his siblings. He never really knew who his father was because he was always gone.

Since Randy had been on his own, he found his own tree to live in, a nearby river that he could always find fresh fish and a few animal buddies that he could talk to. Randy was sitting near the river one day and began to wonder what else was beyond the forest he lived in. He was looking for a great adventure and wanted something different in his life.

Randy caught his dinner for the day and decided to head back to his tree when he came across a couple of pheasants. The pheasants looked at him and he asked if he could talk to them. They were busy looking for bugs and seeds and so they ignored him. Randy shook his head and walked away.

He was wondering who he could to talk about his adventure and then thought of Buck. Buck was a huge deer who seemed to really like Randy. The problem was Randy never got to seem him as much as he wanted to because Buck was always looking for new places to graze. With hunting season in full swing, Randy knew Buck would be on the run.

Randy thought about all the places that Buck liked to go and decided to head to the field closest to his tree. As he was walking along he thought about his sisters and brothers who were in nearby trees but always too busy to have anytime with him. Someday they will miss him he thought to himself. Randy made it to the field and climbed a tree looking out to see if he could see Buck. There, near a small pond was Buck. Randy hurried down the tree and started running towards where Buck was. When Randy got close to Buck, he called out his name. Buck was startled until he realized who called his name.

" Hello Randy, you gave me quite a scare."

Randy apologized for that and then asked Buck if they could talk.

" Buck, what's beyond the forest ?"

Buck looked at Randy and said " Why do you ask ?"

Randy said " I want to go on an adventure and I want to see what is out there."

Buck laughed and said " Little one, the forest is the best place for you. There are a great many dangers out there. "

" Like what ? " Randy asked. He was thinking it must have to do with the birds his mother warned him about, eagles, hawks, and owls. Or maybe the grizzly bear that lived near the river.

Buck said " People my friend, they don't like us poking around even though it is our land too. There are other things like cars that run us over and trains that make loud noises. We aren't welcome outside the forest my friend. It is much safer here."

Randy just looked at Buck. Cars and trains, what are those he wondered. What are people ? Are those the things that hunt Buck ? They don't sound very nice at all.

Buck suddenly lifted his head and looked around. Sensing impending danger, he looked at Randy with fear in his eyes.

" I have to go, something doesn't feel right. Be-careful Randy about what you decide. Also be weary of strange looking things in the woods. I think they are looking for raccoons and other creatures. Don't go inside something you don't know what it is. I saw a creature go in and get trapped. "

With that, Buck took off running and left Randy there. Randy lifted his head and smelled the air. There was a different smell and then he heard barking noises. He took off running and headed back to the forest. He ran and ran until he made it to his tree. He climbed up it as fast as he could and went inside the hole.

Randy tried hard to catch his breath. He peeked out the hole and didn't see anything. He thought about what Buck had said. Maybe, he decided, he would wait on that adventure. If his own forest wasn't safe from these " people ", he was sure that it must be worse beyond the forest.